Traffic signal



Nov. 15, 1938. A. J. MAssEY 2,136,975

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Original Filed June 25, 1923. 5 Sheetsv-.Sheet lf dmmmSTOP-HND- G Nov. 15, 1938. A. J. MAssx-:Y 2,136,975

TRAFFIC SIGNAL Original Filed June 25, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONTRL.5'.9 week; y co lv'rnol.

gmgmtoz /Hewmdgf J. Mam] m1, r1 Y WALL Nov. 15, 1938. A. J. MAssEYTRAFFIC SIGNAL Original Filed June 25, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HUH A I Hanaler J. Mwfy Nov.' 15, 1938. A. J. MAssl-:Y 2,136,976

TRAFFIC S IGNAL original FiledJune 25, 1923 5 `sheets-sheet 4 CibtofmwqNov. 15, 1938. A. v.1. MASSESl 2,136,975

TRAFFI C S IGNAL Original Filed June 25, 1925 5 Sheeucs-Sheef,` 5

INSULATI 0N S14/vento@ 'H /exzmder f Ma ss ey Patented Nov. l5, 1938UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application June 25, 1923, SerialNo.

Divided and this application October 9, 1930, Serial N0. 487,521

8 Claims.

This invention is a divisional application from my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 647,666,

entitled Traino signaling system, filed June 25, 1923', by Alexander J.Massey, patented August '5l 4', 1931, No. 1,817,754 and relates to acentral timingmeans including an impulse sending device for the controlof traffic sign-al for city streets and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a group of or a plurality ofgroups of signals located at different street intersections and improvedeconomical time-controlled central means of control therefor whereby allof such signals m-ay be controlled as to their traffic signaling actionby central timing mechanism. Furthermore, by the employment of certainfeatures of the invention, in connection With properly or g-anizedsignals, the control of the signals with respect to the extinguishing ofthe same or move-- ment thereof to non-signaling position at the propertime for suspension of traffic rules may be automatically accomplished.

In another application for Letters Patent iled` r byjme July 2, 1921,(Patent No. 1,640,845 issued 25 August 30, 1927) for Signaling system, Ihave shown and described a signal, and a signalling system embodying -agroup of such signals and an automatic central time-controlled means forcontrolling the setting of the signals to indicate when traiilc is toproceed, indicated by the display of a face marked Go, the setting ofthe signals to indicate when traffic is to stop, indicated by thedisplay of a face marked Stop, and for controllingthe signals to causethe extinguishing, or removal from view, of the signal faces when thetraffic rules are suspended. The signals disclosed in said patent areadmirably adapted for incorporation in a system embodying the presentinvention, the system and means of signal control herein described beingin fact similar to the system and means of control therein disclosed butof a more highly organized nature in that provision is herein made forthe independent control of a large number of separate groups of signals,each group pertaining to a certain section of a city. In accordance withthe present invention provision is also made for the continuousautomatic operation of the central time-governed controlling means, andthe signal faces controlled may thereby be caused to spring intoactivity in alternate Stop and "Go f-ace presentation in signalingaction each morning that the traffic rules are in force, and may therebybe caused to retire 55` to a non-signaling or invisible position eacheve- (Cl. f77-337) ning at the time of suspension of the rules governingthe day traffic.

The signals described in said patent are each adapted for independentconnection with a power line or source of electrical energy foroperating the same in changing the faces thereof, or for moving thefaces thereof to non-signaling position, the control of the energy takenfrom such source, however, being subject to the central controllingmeans, which controls -the time of an electrical impulse sent therethrough to the energy controlling switches of each signal when itdesired to change a signal face thereof. This obviates the necessity ofthe necessarily heavy wiring and a central controlling means withcumbersome switches of the capacity required to control the operatingcurrent for all of the sign-al faces, as would be necessary in a systememploying a central control device through which all the current passed.In one of its aspects the present invention relates to such an impulsesystem, provision being made for the sending of separate controllingimpulses (at different times, if desired) to the mechanism of thesignals of each group.

A special impulse may be automatically sent over a controlling circuitof each group of signals to start the actuation thereof and another'special impulse may be sent over a controlling circuit to each group ofsignals to cause the cessation of the signaling action thereof. Thesespecial impulse circuits are automatically closed by elements of theautomatic controlling means, which may in certain cases, be at a greatdistance from signals controlled thereby, the elements of the startingand retiring mechanism acted upon by the impulses being preferablylocated in the signal devices and connected with the impulse circuits.

Elements of the central controlling means are preferably so arrangedthat by predetermined adjustment, certain signals, or the signals ofcertain groups, may be retired or started earlier or later than othersignals, or the signals of other groups; further elements may beVariably adjusted in predetermined arrangement, so that the Stop and Gofaces of certain signals are exposed for different time periods and sothat the Go face of certain signals changes to the Stop face slightly inadvance of the exposure ofthe corresponding faces of other signals. Byso presenting a Stop face to persons in a traflic stream slightly inadvance of the presentation of a Go face to persons in a traffic streamat right angles thereto, the crossing or intersection of two streets maybe cleared of one traffic stream by the time the second traffic streamis permitted to enter the intersection.

Means may be provided at the controlling central station which provideautomatically for an entire week of trailic control, with any Variationfrom the regular daily routine which may be required, as for instance,for Saturday night traffic control, and suspension of activity andconsequent obscuration or retirement from view of both the Stop and Gosignal faces during the entire day on Sunday; and such weekly program oftraffic control may be automatically carried out continuously week afterweek, all in accordance with the predetermined adjustment of controllingmeans elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a street trafficsignaling system of the general character above outlined which may beeconomically and reliably operated on a large scale, as theinstallations of large cities may comprise a great many signals in manydifferent groups. As in the preferred form of signal used in my system,the source of electric or other energy for changing the signal faces isonly drawn on for the short time period that the signal faces areactually being changed, and not during the set position period betweenchanges of signal faces, the amount of energy consumed in signaloperation at each signal is very slight indeed, and this energy beingcontrolled by intermittent, electrical impulses, of only a very shortduration, the sign-aling system of a large city may be continuouslyoperated at a surprisingly low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel and useful provision, formation, combination, association andrelative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as hereinafterdescribed, shown in the drawings, and finally pointe-d out in claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away of a centralcontrolling means unit constructed and organized to embody theinvention, and adapted for the continuous automatic control of a largenumber of traiiic signals located at street intersections;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the controlling means unit shownin Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan view of the actuatingmotors of the unit and mechanism for alternately employing the motors;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse sectional view of partsof the controlling means unit, the view being taken on the line 4 4,Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse view of impulsecontrolling parts taken on the line 5 5, Figure 2, and looking in thedirection of the appended arrows, but with the shaft rotated to indicateone of the switch blades in the act of closing circuit between a pair ofcontact ngers this view being not simultaneous with Figs. 2 and 1 andbeing used to show optional features of modification; dot and dash linesindicate the normal rest position of one of the sector plates;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a signaling system constructedand organized to embody the invention, intersecting streets, trahiesignals, electrical circuits, and controlling means unit elements beingshown in their operative interrelation, but (for the sake of clearness'of illustration) without regard to their actual sizes or positions inthe system; some parts are shown only diagrammatically, others in fullline, to the end that a comprehensive outline of the system may be had;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical sectional view of parts of a signal suchas described and claimed by me in the aforementioned Letters Patent, theView being similar to Figure 8, in the drawings thereof, but furtherparts shown in other figures are diagrammatically illustrated in thisfigure in order that the relation of parts of such a signal to thecircuits and parts of the control means herein shown may be readilyunderstood;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a signal device having four faces eachcomprising a plurality of the rotatable vanes described in said patent,a signal of this type being adapted for suspension centrally over astreet intersection as shown in one portion of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form ofcontrolling means unit;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional View of a manual control deviceadapted for use in connection with my improved signaling system, theView being taken on line Ill-I0, Figure 11, and looking in the directionof the appended arrows;

Figure ll is a vertical sectional detail View taken on the line II-I I,Figure 10 and looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

Figure l2 is a sectional detail view of the rotary switch taken on theline I2-I2, of Figure 2, and locking in the direction of the appendedarrows.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, in the form of controllingmeans unit shown in Figures l., 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, A designates asuitable supporting framework, B designates time-controlled motor meansfor operating the unit, C designates impulse controlling means, Ddesignates actuating means for the impulse controlling means C, Edesignates time-controlled governing means for the actuating means D, Fdesignates diurnal control means, G designates weekly control means, andH designates means for periodically alternately employing separate motorelements of the time-controlled motor means.

The framework A is shown as comprising vertical members I5, andihorizontal members I6 suitably arranged to support the various rotatingand other parts of the unit.

The time-controlled motor means B is shown as comprising two constantspeed electro-motors l' and I8 mounted upon the framework A and adaptedto be periodically employed each in subv stitution or relief of theother, subject to control by the means H. The motors I'l and I8 areshown as having their armatures coaxially arranged; and a shaft IShaving a worm fixed thereto is mounted for rotation between the motorarmatures and in position to be driven by either a clutch member IIcarried by the shaft of the armature of the motor I1 or by a clutchmember I8 carried by shaft of the armature of the motor I8, clutchmembers 2I and 22 being carried by the worm shaft I9 in position to beengaged by the members I'I and I8', respectively, when the latter arelongitudinally shifted into contact therewith. A solenoid IIa having anarmature Hb is Xed upon the motor I1 and a solenoid I8a having anarmature I 8b is xed upon the motor I8; the armatures I'Ib and I8b areconnected by a rod 22' having depending clutchshifting fingers I'Ic andI8c respectively taking into annular grooves 2Ia and 22a in thementioned slidable clutch members. By alternately energizingthe-solenoids lilaand |8a, the motors l 'l` and |8=wi1l thus bealternately connected with the worm shaft toidrive the same.

Means of operative connection between the motormeans Band the means E,the diurnal control means F, the weekly control means G,

and the means H, may comprise a gear train or gear trains organized togive the required reduction in gear ratios between the worm shaft |9 andsuch means T, F, G, and H, so-that the' relative ratefof motion of theseparts is assured; As shown inthe drawings, a relatively large gear23iiixed1to a shaft 23 rotatably mounted in the framework has its teethin mesh with the worm 2li-and isidriven. thereby; a relatively smallspur pinion 24` is likewise fixed to the shaft 23 and mesheswith a spurgear25 fixed to a shaft 25' rotatably mounted' in the framework belowthe shaft 23". This shaft' 25 carries a worm 26 which meshes with a gear21Yxed toa rotatably mounted shaft 2T which ranges longitudinally oftheframework A and carries a worm 21" arranged to take into the teeth of agear 28; This gear 28 is fixed to afrotatably mounted transverse shaft28' which has a contact disc 29, comprised within the means H, fixedthereto at its inner end and a worm 30 fixed thereto at its outer end. Aconsiderable reduction in the-rate of rotation of the contact disc 29,as compared withthe rate of speed of the driving motor I1 or I8 is thusobtained. As suchv contact disc 2-9 controls theshifting of the clutches2| and 22, as will be hereinafter described, the shifting of the work ofdriving the mechanism of the unit` from one motor to the other iscontrolled thereby and the time period between each such change ofmotors is dependent upon the rateof speed of; disc rotation.

A further reduction in the rate of speedofl rotation of a contact drum3| comprised within the diurnal control means F, to cause the same tomake/exactly. one complete revolution in every twenty-four hours, maybehad by providing al rotating shaft 32 at right angles to the shaft 28and having a gear 32 fixed thereto in mesh with the worm 3!) and a worm33 fixed thereto in mesh with a large gear 33' which is secured to thetransverse shaft 34; theV transverse shaft 34 is rotatably journaled inthe framework A and has the contact drum 3| secured thereto.

A rotatable transverse shaft 35 mounted in the framework A above theshaft 2.3 has a bcvel gear 35 secured thereto at one endl and isdrivenby a bevel gear 36 secured to the upper end of a vertical rotatableshaft 36. At its lower end the shaft 36 has a bevel gear 33a securedthereto, and such gear 36a is in mesh with a bevel gear 31 secured totheendof the shaft 25. A pinion 35a secured to the shaft 35 drives thetime-controlled governing means E.

rllhe Vimpulse controlling means C, by means 0f which electricalcontacts are made to cause controlling impulses to be sent to eachstreet signal, or each group of street signals, as the 'i case may be,is shown as comprising a longitudinally ranging shaft 38 rotatablyjournalled in the framework, as at 38, and having a large gear 39secured thereto, and' adjustable contact device consisting of thesectors 4!! and 4| secured thereto adapted to contact, spring contactfingers 42 and 42 secured to the frame I6. The contact devices areshownas plurally provided, in separate sets, upon thesame; shaft, to

illustrate how different signal actuations may be i caused, with respectto different signals or signals of different groups, each such contactdevice controlling the impulses sent to a different signal or aVdifferent group of signals. The sector 49has a hub 40, bored to receivethe shaft 38 and having a threaded aperture to receive setscrew 40 bymeans of which the sector is adjustably secured to the shaft 38. At itsouter margin and aty one edge thereof the sector carriesan insulatingblock 49a upon which is mounted a metallic switch blade 40h such blockand its blade being disposed at one sideof the relatively thinsectorbody adjustablyr` secured as' by screws 40a adapted to be insertedin any of the holes 4f as desired. At the opposite side of the sector,and at the outer margin thereof, an insulating: block 40e carrying aswitch blade 40d is similarly secured` In the instance shown in Figure5, the switch blade 40d projects from the sector body in a directionopposite that of the blade 40h. The sector 4| may be formed similarly tothe part 48 with a bored hub 4|', set screw' 4| to secure the sector tothe shaft 38, and' oppositely disposed switch blades 4|a and 4| bsupported to'project at opposite sides of the sector 4| and at oppositeedges thereof by insulating blocks 4|c and Md, respectively. The switchblades 41a and Mb are of sufficient length tocontact with two springfingers 42 to close circuits one wire of which is connected to each ofsuch fingers, and the switch blade 40hI is of i just sufficient lengthto contact with the next adjacent pair of spring fingers 42; the switchblade 40d, however, is a litle longer than the blades 40h, 4|'a and. Mbso as to Contact with a pair of theV fingers 42 and in addition theretowith a special contact finger 42'. This special contact finger isconnected with features of the signal starting and extinguishing meansas will be hereinafter described.

The actuating means D for the impulse controlling means C is shown as anelectro-motor 46 fixed inthe framework A and having a shaft 46a`connected with its armature shaft and pro-` vided with a worm 46h at itsouter end. The worm 46hy meshes with the large gear 39 on the shaft 38Vwhich is periodically rotated by the motor asrthe same is intermittentlyenergized or supplied with electrical energy by switch means Ehereinafter to be described.

The time-controlled governing means E which I with by ar switch bar 41aextending longitudinally of the drum, and a switch device e associatedwith the shaft 38. This switch device e, Fig. 4, is shown ascomprising alongitudinally movable rock shaft 49 parallel' to the shaft 38, meansye', for longitudinally moving the rock-shaft (and comprising a solenoid5D having an* armature forming an( extension of the rock-shaft) a switchbar 5| onthe rock-shaft, a fixed contact Sla adapted to be engaged by acontact on the switch bar, a spring 52 for holding the switch bar incircuit closing position, and means (shown as comprising a pair ofdiametrically opposed switch bar engaging fingers 53 fixed on the shaft38) for moving the switch bar to open circuit position. The switch bar`5| is shownY as` having a boredl hub by means of which it is fixed totherock-shaft 49. and an extension or arm 5|' ter-V minating in a hookextending normally into the path of rotation of the diametricallyopposed fingers 53 which terminate in hooks matching the hooked terminusof the switch bar extension 5|. The switch bar 5| is shown in Fig. 4 ascarrying an insulated switch point 5|b adapted to contact with the fixedswitch point or contact 5|a. One wire of the corresponding circuitterminates at each switch point. The rockshaft 48 is arranged to rotateand slide in the framework at one of its ends, as at 49', Figure 2, andthe armature at its other end is arranged to rotate and slide in thesolenoid. A spring 54 normally holds the rock-shaft with its switch barin the vertical plane `of the fixed switch point. The drum 41 is drivenby an idler gear 55 which meshes with the pinion 35a and a gear 55 fixedto the rotatable drum shaft 41. The drum 41 controls the energization ofthe solenoid 58, the switch bar 41a of the drum 41 closing the solenoidcircuit at each revolution.

Upon each energization of the solenoid 5|] its core draws the rockshafttoward the solenoid and moves the switch bar 5| out of the plane of thehooked switch controlling arms 53 of the rock shaft allowing the spring52 to draw the switch bar upwardly and contact with the fixed point 5|a,so closing the circuit of, and energizing the motor 46, which ispermitted to turn the shaft 38 through one-half revolution only, thecircuit of the solenoid 50 having been meanwhile broken and therockshaft moved by the spring 54 to again bring the switch bar 5| intothe plane of the hooked arms 53, the hooked extension 5| of which switchbar 5| is caught by a hooked arm 53 and moved to break the circuit ofthe motor 46. The latter must remain mechanically and electricallyinactive until the drum 41 again closes the circuit of the solenoid 50to draw switch bar 5| out of the plane of the hooked arms 53, whereuponthe motor 48 is again energized to give the shaft 38 another half-turn.During time-periods between successive actuations or half-revolutions ofthe shaft 38 the signal faces remain s et or in their positions ofdisplay, the sectors 40 and 4| being usually so arranged on the shaft 38that the spring finger contacts are between them (out of contact) duringthe pauses in shaft rotation. It will thus be seen that the rate ofrotation of the drum 41 controls or determines, to a certain extent, thelength of time, or time-period of display, without change, of a signalface. By adjusting the sectors 40 and 4| so that they will not beexactly diametrically opposed, but by moving them in a circular pathabout the axis of the shaft 38, and fixing them in any suchpredetermined position, a shorter time-period of display of one signalface than another may be had; the total cycle period (or time-period ofdisplay of a Stop face plus display of a Go face) will, however, be thesame time-period as is required for two complete rotations of the drum41.

The diurnal control means F is shown as the rotatably mounted drum 3|,and a plurality of sets of switch points or spring fingers 3|', 3|", 3|"and 3|, engaging the same and in position to have circuits closedtherethrough by circuit closing or switch bars 3| b` mounted at theperiphery of the drum 3|, one such bar vbeing provided for each set offingers. These switch bars 3 Ib` may be entered into undercut channels3|c cut longitudinally in the surface of the drum 3| and the bars 3|bbeing of such cross-section that they will project above the surface ofthe drum proper, which is preferably formed or suitable insulatingmaterial. By forming the channels 3|c close together in the drum, I amenabled to vary the arrangement of the contact or switch bars 3| lr tomeet almost every possible requirement, with respect to time ofextinguishing separate signals or separate groups thereof each night,and causing the reappearance thereof in signalling action each morning,certain signals or groups thereof at one time, and other signals or tactfingers are separately mounted on a block 3|d of insulating` material.The contact bars 3 Ib of each set lie in different zones of the drum,and are spaced about the axis of the drum. As the series of barscontrolling the signal extinguishing action are successively advanced tothe contact zone each day, the corresponding or connected signals willbe extinguished.

A long contact bar 3|bi' extending through all the zones of the drum inwhich the shorter bars 3|bl lie may be placed in one of the channels 3|c behind all of the bars 3|b so as to make contact with all of thespring fingers 3|', 3|, 3|, and 3|" at a time later than the time ofcontact of the shorter bars with their respective sets of fingers. Thisprovides for the extinguishing of all of the signals or groups thereofsimultaneously and at a later hour than they would successively beextinguished by the action of the shorter bars, special provision beingalso made to prevent the action of the shorter bars becoming effectiveon such days as it is desired to run the signals until a late hour, asfor instance, Saturdays, and such action may be dependent upon featuresof the weekly control means G.

Long contact bars such as are shown at 3|b may be provided in suitablechannels 3| c, lying in such portions of the so-called drum as will beadvanced to the contact zone of the mentioned spring fingers at suitablehours each evening and/or morning. However, if desired, whether I use asingle long bar (as shown) or a plurality of such bars, they may be cutinto or formed from a series of shorter bars, one for each set of thecontact fingers, and such bars may be arranged to be presented to eachset oi fingers in sequence so to start various signals or groups atdifferent times.

One end of the drum 3| is shown as provided with a circumferential cam56 which may be located between the evening signal extinguishing barsand morning signal starting means so as to come into play in switchopening action after the last of the controlled signal faces has beenextinguished for the night. bar 51 has a cam-follower or roller 51'which rides upon the cam 56 during the night or nonsignaling hours andkeeps the circuit controlled thereby open by drawing the switch bar outof contact with or otherwise separating the switch points 51a and 51hwhich are in circuit with the spring contact fingers 48 and 48 of thegoverning means E. The drum 41 thereof being during the period ofcircuit interruption in an open circuit, fails to cause the energizationof the solenoid 5|), so keeping the switch bar 5| in open circuitposition and preventing energization of the motor 46 and consequentrotation of shaft 38. This prevents all signalling action during thetime-period the cam requires to pass beneath its follower.

The weekly control means G is shown as a double cam 58 formed at oneside of a spur gear 59 which is rotatably mounted upon a stud or axle 68projecting from the framework A. An

A pivoted switch fil idler gear 59 connects the gear 59 with a pinion59" on the shaft 34 which carries the drum 3|; the gear ratio is suchthat while the drum 3| makes seven revolutions the gear 59 and its cam58 make .only one revolution. The periphery of the cam 58 in one zone isso formed that a cam follower 58' (comprising a switch lever pivoted tothe framework A as at 58", intermediately of its ends) causesja switch60u at one end of the ever to be opened, and so open certain electricalcircuits as the cam follower 58' is urged by a spring 58" into adepression in the cam face. This depression is, for instance, presentedto the follower on Saturday night, and it may be of suiiicient extentalong the cam surface to keep such circuits open during the entire dayon the following Sunday. Upon the cam follower being forced outwardlysome time during Sunday night, the circuits will be closed, and thedaily or diurnal control drum 3| will cause energizing impulses to beagain sent to all of the signals on the following morning, so releasingthe signal faces from the non-visible position in which they wereheldduring the period of traffic regulation suspension.

"I'he circuit in which the switch 60u is located is the circuit leadingfrom the switch controlled by the cam 56 on the diurnal drum 3| to thedrum 41 of the means E and the solenoid 50 controlled thereby. By thisarrangement all signal activity may be prevented on Sundays as well asduring` `the night hours.

In another plane the double cam 58 is provided ,with a cam face 58arorperiphery formed with a 'depression which requires only a few hours topass under a cam follower 58h pivoted to the framework and carrying aswitch `blade 580 which normally contacts with two switch points` 58dand 58e. These points 58d and 53e' are in the circuit controlling theextinguishing of signal faces. By this arrangement, I am enabled onSaturday nights to automatically interrupt such circuit before any ofthe contact bars 3|bI arrive at their point of contact with the springfingers u at the drum 3| and again close such circuit after such contactbut before the long signal extinguishing bar 3|b makes contact with suchspring fingers. Thus I prevent the signals from ceasing on Saturdaynights their operation at the usual daily hour and depend on the longbar 3|b to extinguish Vall signal faces controlled thereby at a latehour.

Upon the frame work A a switch panel a is shown. An adjustable ormanually operable blade 6|) is pivotally mounted on the panel a and aplurality of contact points 60a, 60h, Bc and 60d are arranged in an arcon the panel a and in position to be selectively engaged by the blade6|), Three other such switch devices are provided on the panel a, andthe four such switch devices shown are connected up as follows:

Each one of the contact points 60a is connected by a circuit wire 60a toone of the contact fingers 3| of the diurnal control means F, each oneof the contacts 60h is connected by a circuit wire 60h to one of theContact fingers 3|, each one of the contacts 60e is connected by acircuit wire tile withone of the fingers 3|", and each one of thecontacts 60d is connected by a circuit wire 60d to one of the ngers 3|'.The outer end of each switch blade 60 may be indirectly andconditionally connected to spring fingers of the separate setsofspringfingers 42, 42,icomprised within the impulse means C, and withextinguishing circuits of the respective signals, as hereinafterdescribed.

'Ihe contact disc 29 of the means I-I is shown in Figure 6 as providedwith a broad arcuate contact strip 2'9", extending through slightly morethan 1,80 degrees on the face of the disc and about the axis thereof,and with a contact or switch blade 29 located inwardly of the arcuatestrip and on the face of the disc. A pair of spaced contacts 29a, and apair of spaced contacts 2911, are held in the framework A atdiametrically opposite points on the disc 29and in position to be sweptover by the arcuate strip 29. A pair of spaced contacts 29e, and a pairof diametrically opposite contactsI 29d are supported by the frameworkin position to be engaged by the switch blade 29". A circuit wire 29aleads from one contact 29a to one terminal of the motor |1 and a circuitwire 29h leads from one contact 29h to one terminal of the motor I8; acircuit wire 28C leads from one contact 29e to one terminal of thewinding of the solenoid |1aL and a circuit wire 29d' leads from onecontact 29d to one terminal of the solenoid 18a. The remaining contacts29a, 29h, 29C and 29d are all connected with one wire 29e of anelectrical energy supply. The other terminals of the motor |1, motor I8,solenoid |1a, and solenoid IBa, all are connected to the other wire 29jof the source of electrical energy supply. As the disc 29 rotates, thearcuate strip 29' closes and opens the circuits of the motors |1 and I8alternately, the extent of the strip insuring that the idle motor willbe brought up to normal speed before the circuit of the working motor isbroken. When a motor has been started and has attained the proper speedof rotation, the contact blades 29 closes the circuit of thecorresponding solenoid and the armature thereof reverses the clutchconnections operated thereby and disengages the retiring motor afterconnecting the motor lately energized. At about this time the strip 29leaves the priorly engaged fixed contacts and the circuit of theretiring motor is broken.

In order that a large number of signals or groups thereof may be causedto operate at slightly different times, or display their stop and gofaces in time-periods or cycles of different lengths, the plurality ofsets of ngers 42 and 42 are provided and the means C and its operatingmeans D may be plurally provided. A convenient arrangement is shown inFigures 1 and 2 where a tubular shaft 38 surrounds and is rotatablymounted upon the shaft 38 and has its own operating motor 46' andsuitable operating connections. Governing means ES- equivalent togoverning means E may be provided in the form of a second rotatablymounted disc 41's similar to the disc 41, but driven at a different rateof rotative speed, due to use of an idler gear of a size differing fromthe one driving the disc 41. A solenoid, switch device, and otherfeatures corresponding to the control or governing features of the motor46 and shaft 38 are provided in association with the shaft 38 and themotor 46', analogous parts of Es being identified in Figure 2 by similarcharacters each with an added s. Two of the adjustable sector devicesare shown on each of the shafts 38 and 38', one such device coactingwith each set of fingers 42 and 42 and so providing for the differentialcontrol of the signal faces of four different groups of signals, due tothe different time intervals between the contacting of the sector switchblades with their respective contact ngers 42, as the stroke of theswitch bar.

"or a set of signals.

sectors 40 and 4| of each sector device may be differently adjusted ontheir shafts with respect to each other.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 9, and adapted toreplace the devices B and C, motors 6| and 62, constituting parts of atime-controlled motor means and adapted to be used each in substitutionfor the other, are provided, together with clutch mechanisms similar tothe shifting clutch mechanisms of the motors |1 and I8, constituting thetime-controlled motor means B, and a shaft 63 carrying a worm 63a isdriven by such motors 6| and 62 alternately. A train comprising gears 64suitably mounted on rotatable shafts 64a is driven by the worm 63a. Acrank 64b is provided at the end of one of the shafts 64a, which rotatesat a speed suitable for signal control, and a link 65D extends from thecrank 64b to a reciprocatory collar 65a which is slidably mounted upon aswitch bar 66, which switch bar 66 is equivalent to, or is used insubstitution for, the device comprising the sectors 40 and 4| of themeans C described in connection with the other form of the invention. Acontact A.roller 66a is mounted upon the switch bar 66 and is adapted toride over a plurality of sets or pairs of fixed contact points 61, 61a.This roller successively bridges the gap, or closes the circuit, betweenthe contact points of each pair, as each pair of points is reached inthe reciprocations of the switch bar and roller carried thereby. 'I'heswitch bar 66 has a spring pawl 66' fixed thereto in position to engagea ratchet wheel |56" and impart a quarter-turn thereto at each outwardThe ratchet wheel has a four-point switch device secured thereto and apair of spaced contact points 66" are positioned so as to be swept overby different arms of the four-point switch device so as to momentarilybridge the contact points 66"' at each outward stroke of the bar.

The switch points 61 may be connected to signals or signal faceoperating devices of signals or groups of the same controlling movementof trailic in streets running in one direction, and the points 61a maybe connected to signals or the faces thereof or groups controllingtraffic in streets intersecting the first. The points 66' may beconnected in the circuit leading from a daily drum comparable with thedrum 3| of the diurnal control means F, and are alternately put in thesignal starting and stopping circuits by such drum. Collars 65 and 65"are provided on the switch bar 66 and such collars may be Vsecured tothe bar 66 in predetermined spaced adjustment by set screws 65" and thereciprocating collar 65a may be adapted to slide on the bar 66 betweenthe collars 65' and 65" and to engage such collars alternately as itnears the end of its strokes, so shifting the rod and the roller carriedthereby. The time elapsing between each such shifting of the bar androller governs the duration of each signal face display at a signal orsignals controlled thereby.

In Figures 10 and 11 I have shown means formanually controlling theaction of the signals at a street intersection, such as may be necessarywhen the right-of-way is given to fire or other emergency apparatus, orfor correcting accildental irregularities in the actions of a signalSuch controlling means is shown as comprising a locked casing 68 whichmay be opened by authorized persons, such as policemen and firemen, inwhich a set of manually operable switches, shown as six, is located.

the system. By opening any one of these.

switches, the corresponding circuit is interrupted and the functioningof the controlled signalpart ceases to respond to central control. Forinstance, the switch 10 is of the knife-blade type and comprises a bar10a pivotally mounted as at 10b and normally held in contact with theswitch point 10b' by its spring 69. The bar so completes or forms partof the signal stopping circuit. At its end 10c, which projects below thepivotal point, the bar has a push button 10d by means of which it may bemoved out of contact with its contact point 10b', so breaking thecorresponding circuit of the central control system. Further movement ofthe push button causes the bar to contact with a switch point 10econnected with any suitable source of electrical energy (as, 8|la) sosending an electrical impulse from such source to the stopping mechanismof the signal faces at the corresponding intersection and interruptingtheir further movement. Similarly, the switch blade 1| and associatedparts, are normally in circuit with the signal starting mechanism of thecorresponding signals, and movement thereof by means of its push button1|a causes it to leave its normal position, interrupt the startingcircuit leading from the central station, and connect the startingmechanism of the corresponding signals with a source of electricalenergy connected with its switch point 1|e.

The switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 are organized similarly to the switches10 and 1| but include in addition to the elements thereof spring detentmeans and a notched sector 12a at the projecting end thereof. The bladesof these switches are adapted to be moved into contacts 12', 13', 14 and15', respectively, spaced from the contact points 12", 13", 14" and 15",with which the blades of the switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 are,respectively, normally in contact, The notches in the sectors 12a are soplaced that the blades may be held midway between their opposed contactsor in open circuit position. 'I'he contacts 12', 13', 14 and 15' are allconnected to any suitable source of electrical energy. A bar 16 formedof insulating material lies behind the four blades of the switches 12,13, 14 and 15 and has a push button 16a formed on one end of the angularlever 16' to one end of which the bar 16 is transversely fixed. Thelever is pivoted as at 16" on a lug in the casing. A push button 11 isprovided for each of the blades of the switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 and isarranged to release the corresponding sector from its detent. Each ofthe switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 normally forms part of one of the signalface-changing circuits of the corresponding signals controlling trahiein a street running in one direction, and each of the switches 14 and 15normally forms part of one of the signal face changing circuits of thesignals controlling traflic in an intersecting street.

A signal face may be manually changed by pressing the correspondingbutton sufficiently far inwardly, and all of the signal faces at anintersection may be changed by pressing the button 16a sufiiciently farinwardly. By onlyra partial inward movement of these buttons the switchblades controlled thereby may be placed in open circuit position socausing the signal faces to hold their positions until control from thecentral station is again rendere-d possible byy moving the switchesagain to normal position.

By reference to Figure 6 the connections of the several parts of thecontrolling means unit with their coacting parts, comprised within thesignals by the several electrical impulse circuits will be readilyunderstood. In this figure a street intersection. in one part of a cityis indicated at J and a streety intersection in another part of the cityis indicated at K. At the intersection J four signals J are shown, andthese signals may be organized and arranged in the manner explained inthe hereinbefore mentioned application. One such signal at J is shown asprojecting over each of the traffic streams, indicated by the arrows,approaching the intersection from each of four directions. A power line,or source of electrical energy, comprising the circuit wires 'I8` and18', is connected with the win-ding of the signal-face changing oroperating motor of each signal J', as by means of branch circuit wires18a and 1817. The energy supplied by these branch circuit wires 18a and18h is subject to control by a motor-controlling switch, one -of whichis provided in each signal, as described in said patent, and as will befurther explained herein.

At the street intersection K, a signal device K', having four signalfaces, is shown as suspended by means of cables lc directly over thecenter of the street intersection. Each of these cables may be anchoredto a building lc on the corresponding corner. Each signal face of thedevice K' may comprise a plurality of the blades or vanes described insaid other patent, together with` suitable operating means or mechanismtherefor., The signal face operating motive means thereof may besupplied with electrical energy by circuit `wires 19 and 19 leading fromany suitable source, subject to control by a motor circuit switch.

`Five signal controlling circuit wires are shown as leading fromelements of the central controlling means unit to the signals at theintersection J, and 'five similar signal-controlling circuit wires areshown as leading from elements of the unit to the signal device K at theintersection K. At the right of the intersection K the five wiresleading to the signal device K are shown as each. provided with a branchwire, and these five branch wires may be further branched so as to leadto other signals of the group. of signals to be controlled so as to actsimultaneously with the signal device K.

The controlling means unit is shown as constructed and organized toregulate the activity or `movement of four different groups of signals,independently, but it will of course be understood that, such showingisv merely exemplary, and; I may organize the same to control anydesired number of sets or lgroups, all as may be required in adaptingthe invention to the needs of any particular city or locality. For thesake of clearness of illustration, circuit wires leading to twol sets orgroups of signals, together with their signals, are omitted, as thewiring diagram shown` and described explains a mode of control for twosets or groups from which the connections to the other sets will bereadily understood.

, Each of the sets of five circuit wires of each group of signalspreferably comprises a main or feed wire, 80, a wire 8| for controllingthe starting of .the `signals each morning of their working day, a wire82 for controlling the face changing switches in themotor circuitsfofthe signals which.

control the traflic streams in streets extending in one direction, awire 33 for controlling the switches in the motor circuits of thesignals which control theI traffic streams in the streets extendingtransversely thereto, and a wire 84 for controlling .the mechanism whichextinguishes the signal faces of all of the signals of the group.

By reference to the drawings, at the intersection J, it will be seenthat the feed wire has four branches lila and that one such branch 80aleads to each of the four signals J. The wires 8l and 84 likewise havefour branches each, 81a and Bric, res -ectively, and one of each suchbranches, 8m and 8461., leads to one of the four signals J However, thewire 82 has only two branches, Srila., at the intersection J, and one ofthese branches loads to each` of the two signals J` which are arrangedto control what may be called' east and West traffic, the direction easteing indicated by E and the direct west by W. North is indicated by N,and south by S, and the signals J controlling such nort and south trahieeach connected to a branch 83a of the wire 83. By so connecting thesignals J I am enabled to cause non-synchronous signal face action, asbetween the north and south signals on the one hand, and the east andwest signals on the other. The feed Wire 80 is shown as having oneterminal connected to one wire Bilv of an electrical energy supply lineand as having its other terminal connected to the other wire 85 of suchelectrical energy supply line. The group of live circuit wires shown asleading from the controlling means unit to the square four-faced signalK may be connected to signal face actuating mechanisms, signal startingmechanism, and signal face extinguishing mechanism, equivalent to themechanisms controlling the corresponding faces of the four signals K.The feed wire lidia of this group has its terminals. connected to thesupply line comprising the wires 85 and 85', similarly to the feed wire80 of the signals J the wires iK--Bk being comparable with wires til-84.

Before completely describing the connections of the elements of thecentral controlling means unit and the five circuit Wires leading toeach group of signals to control the functioning thereof, as shown inFigure 6, the connections of the elements of one of the east and westtraiiic controlling signals J will be described. 'I'hese connections areshown in Figure '7 and by noW using, with an initial a, the numerals bywhich certain elements are designated in such other application a betterunderstanding of the in.- vention will result. The magnet 232 is theelement to be energized in order to suspend activity of the signalfaces, or to cause the same to be extinguished. The magnet Z156 is theelement which is energized to operate the motor switch bar 243 and socause the motor to be energized by connecting its winding with itssupply line. The motor or the winding thereof is designated by 225 andit is this motor that causes the alternate display of the Stop and Gofaces of the signal, a movement or shifting of signal faces from oneposition toward the other taking place upon each energization of themotor. In the form of signal shown, energization of the magnet 232 movesthe signal face extinguishing bar or element 23| to a position where thesignal face vanes will be caught in a neutral, invisible, orextinguished position, upon the next succeeding movement thereof by themotor 226. The third element of signal control, themagnet 24|, is theelement which releases the mechanism from its inactive position and thismagnet 24| is energized at the predetermined time of the day that thesignal is to spring into activity.

A branch 88a of the feed Wire 8U of the present invention, is furtherbranched as at a', and one of such branches 80a' is connected to oneterminal o1' the magnet 24|, the morning or starting magnet, anotherbranch 80a is connected to one terminal of the change magnet e46, themotor-switch controlling magnet, and the third branch 80a is connectedto one terminal of the neutral positioning, or signal face extinguishingmagnet 232. 'I'he circuit Wire 82 hasone of its branches 82a connectedto the terminal of the change magnet e46 opposite the terminal to whichthe branch 83a is connected; the circuit wire 8| has one of its branches8|a connected to the terminal of the starting magnet 24| opposite theterminal to which the branch 80a is connected; and the circuit wire 84has one of itsbranches 84a connected with the terminal stopping magnet232 opposite the terminal to which the branch 80a is connected. The

`feed wire 80 being connected, as hereinbefore Y The north and southsignals may have their change magnets 245 connected with a branch wire83a, instead of a branch 82a, as in the case of the-east and westsignals just described.

Referring again to Figure 6, each feed Wire 80 is shown as connectedwith two alternate contacts or fingers 42 of each separate set of suchfingers 42, comprised within the impulse means C. It will be understoodthat each separate set of four contact fingers 42 and one contact finger42 pertains to the control of impulses sent to a separate set or groupof signals synchronously operated. The fingers 42', however, may all beconnected by branches to one circuit Wire 86, which leads through theSaturday night switch 58e, to all of ythe evening bars 3|b and the bar3|b, passing to such evening bars through a brush 86a which contactswith an annular contact 86h fixed on the end of the diurnal drum 3| (asbest shown in Figures 2 and 12). The bars may all be connected with.such contact 86h in any suitable manner, as by a brush or wire 3|n,shown diagrammatically in Figures 6 and 12 only. 'Ihe spring contactfingers 3|', 3|", 3|" and 3|" and their circuits leading to the manuallyadjustable switches 60, having the contacts 60a, 601), 60e and 60d,having been hereinbefore described and it need only be mentioned herethat the adjustment of the switch blade 60 of each group of signalspredetermines the time at which the signal faces of that group willordinarily be extinguished due to the contacting of successive bars 3|bwith the fingers which overlie the same, as each circuit wire 84k isconnected to one of the switch blades 60. Upon each rotation of theshafts 38, 38 the long switch blades of the segments 4 la connect thespring fingers 42 with the next adjacent of the spring fingers 42, andtherethrough, each to its corresponding feed Wire. Therefore, at thepredetermined time, when the controlling parts of each group of signalsare in proper relation, a circuit will be established through the feedwire, the contact devices, and the signal face extinguishing magnets 232and the signals of such group will cease their operation and the facesthereof be extinguished or removed from View.

On Saturday evenings, if desired, the functioning of the bars 3| b insignal face extinguishing action may be prevented, as when the switchblade 58e is moved to open position by the cam follower, due to theformation of the cam periphery, the circuit through the short bar 3|b isbroken, and not again closed until the last of the bars 3| b has passedthrough the contact Zone. After the last of the bars 3 Ib has passed thecontact zone, the formation of the Saturday evening cam will permit theswitch blade 58e to again close the circuit, and impulse will be sent toall of the signals connected with the switches 60 and so cause theretirement of all signal faces so conf trolled.

In order to prevent signal operation during the day on Sundays, and tocut off the supply of energy to the means C during the night hours, thecircuit wire 81 which has its terminals connected one with each of thesupply wires 85 and 85 is interrupted by the Sunday switch 6011. and theswitch 51 which is opened nightly by the cam 56. The drum 41 of themeans E is in this circuit and as such drum 41 controls the energizationof the solenoid 50 which is also in this circuit, the solenoid is in anopen circuit during the night hours and on Sundays.

The constantly running motor 46, switch bar 5| and fixed contact point 5a are in the same circuit which comprises the wire 46a', the terminalsof which wire are connected, one to each of the supply wires 85 and 85.

In case all signals are to be simultaneously started, the morning or'signal starting circuit wires 8| of all of the groups of signals may bejoined or connected together and the common terminal thereof connectedto a brush 88 which normally projects into the space in the annularcontact 86a on the end of the drum 3|. An adjustable radial contact 88ahas its one end 88 bored (see Figure 2) to receive an insulating bushingon the drum shaft and has its other end 88 in constant electricalcontact with the annular contact 86h. At the proper hour for startingthe signals the contact 88a passes under the brush 88 and so connectsthe wires 8| momentarily with the feed wire 80, causing the release ofthe signal faces from their fixed position by energizing the startmagnet 24 I.

Each east and west signal face controlling wires 82 leads to thecorresponding set of fingers 42 Where it is connected with one of suchfingers 42 lying next adjacent to one of the fingers 43 connected to thefeed wire 80. Each north and south signal face control wire 83 leads tothe remaining finger 42 of the corresponding set of fingers.

The governing means E, during the periods of its activity, which periodsare determined by the periods during which the night switch and Sundayswitch are closed, causes the motor 46 to be intermittently energized,and the shaft 38 turns degrees at each such energization. This movementof the shaft 38 causes the four contact fingers 42 of the set to beswept over or contacted with by the switch blades carried by one of thesectors. Such contacting with the fingers 42 closes the circuitmomentarily, first through the "east and West signal face movementcontrolling 75 l Cil magnets v46, 4and then through the north and southsignal face controlling magnets `46. When thel drum 4T of the governingmeans E again causes the energization of the motor 40, 'and the shaft isagain turned through M30-degrees, the switch blades on the other sector,one of which maybe the long switch blade, another impulse. is sentthrough each set of magnets 46. An impulse will also be sent through thecontact finger 42' upon the contacting of. the long switch bladetherewith, and when other control features are properly connected up, asdetermined by the time of the day, such impulse will be sent through thestarting magnets aM by wires 8|, or through the signal faceextinguishing magnets 232, by wires The' spacing apart of the switchblades at each edge of a segment lli! or 4I permits of the sending of asignal-face changing impulse to one signalface slightly in advance ofanother; the sending of a signal-facechanging impulse to the same groupof signals provides for the changing of a signal-face controlling onetraffic stream from Go to Stop position slightly in `advance of thechanging of a signal-face controlling a traffic stream crossing the rstfrom Stop to Go position, when such companion signal-faces at anintersection are to have their indications reversed. This permits'ofclearing the intersection while both such angularly related signal facesmomentarilyread Stop, and then signaling persons in the second trafcstream to proceed by exhibiting to them the Go'face of a signal.

In Figure 8 a signal of the four face type such as is showndiagrammatically at K', Figure 6, is shown in perspective. This signalis shown as of the storm-proof enclosed type, the rotatable vanes 89constituting the four signal faces being shown as disposed in a casing89a having a removable glass-carrying frame 89h secured at each of thefour faces thereof. The glass panel 89C of each such frame is spacedoutwardly from the Zone of rotation of the relatively narrow vanessufficiently to provide a suitable clearance space in which the vanesmay rotate in signal-face changing action. Three signaling lenses 89a'may be provided above `each signal face over apertures or recesses inthe casing. In these recesses electric lamp globes are placed and soconnected with the internal signal mechanism that the signaling may becarried on thereby as well as by the signal faces. Each such lamp, orthe lens covering the same may be of a different color, as for instancered, blue or green, and yellow; the first two named colors may beflashed to represent Stop and Go while the third color may be lighted toindicate either that the traffic rules are suspended or that the signalfaces are about to be changed.

-Such changing of signal faces may also be preceded by ringing asuitable bell or gong. A feature of this device is that the heat of theelectric lamps,which are disposed in the casing, and above the zone ofthe signal faces and the glass panels covering the same melt or preventthe accumulation of snow, sleet, ice or frost which might otherwise dimthe glass panels under certain climatic conditions.

In order that the two sets of blades of the signal faces visible fromone street, one set from each side of the signal, may be moved to Stopposition slightly in advance of the movement of the sets of bladesvisible from the street intersecting the rst to Go position, two sets ofthe actuating and controlling devices as described as operating a singlesignal in the type of signal illustrated in said patent may be employedin each four-faced signal k. In such cases, one such -set of mechanismsuch as is shown in Figure 7, with controlling devices, is arranged tooperate the .joined rack bars at opposite faces Aof the casing, and thetwo sets vof blades rotated thereby, and another or duplicate set ofmechanism and controlling devices is arranged to operate another pair ofjoined rack bars and the blades rotated thereby,V which are disposed atopposite 'casing faces and in planes at` right angles with respect tothe rst named casing faces.

Where the four separate sets of blades are to be rotated simultaneously,a single set of theoperating mechanism and its controlling devices willsuiiice, as the two pairs of Yangul'arly related rack bars may besimultaneously reciprocated by connecting `one pair with the `operatingmechanism and connecting the `second pair with 'the first by aright-angled pvoted bell lcrank and a pair of links one of which extendstherefrom to each pair of rack-bars. In cases where such simultaneousVchange of east and west fand north and south faces suffices, either oneof the east and west,or north and south, controlling circuit wires maybe lomitted from the system and the impulse means C correspondinglysimplified.

yIt should be understood not only that various features of the presentinvention might be independently employed but that numerous modicationsthereof might easily be devised by skilled Workers, if informed of theforegoing,- all without departure from the scope of the presentinvention, as the latter is indicated above and in my claims.

I claim:

1. A timing device comprising a frame, a plurality of pairs of springcontact fingers mounted on said frame, electric circuits connected tosaid fingers, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame adjacent saidfingers, pairs of adjustable sectors mounted on said shaft adapted to beadjusted on said shaft relative to each other, and insulated switchblades carried by each of said sectors and adjustable relative to eachother thereon adapted to be rotated and contact pairs of said fingers toconnect said circuits at different contact positions in their rotation.

2. A timing device comprising a frame, a plurality of spring contactfingers mounted thereon, electric circuits connected to said ngers, ashaft rotatably mounted in said frame adjacent said fingers, pairs ofsectors mounted on said shaft adjustable relative to each other, switchblades on and adjacent the periphery of each of said sectors adjustablerelative to each other thereon and adapted when rotated to contact andconnect groups of said fingers for the purpose of completing theelectric circuits connected to said ngers.

3. The combination with a time control mechanism switch, of an impulsesending switch for signal circuits comprising a plurality of pairs of,spring contact fingers, electric circuits connected to said fingers, ashaft, adjustable sectors mounted on said shaft, insulated switch bladesadjustably mounted on said sectors, and means controlled by said timecontrol mechanism switch to intermittently rotate said shaft and contactsaid switch blades with pairs of said fingers.

4. In combination, a time control mechanism switch, a weekly timeinterval control switch operatively connectedl to said time controlmechanism switch, and impulse sending switches comprising stationarycontact members and adjustable rotatable contact members, and meansoperatively controlled by said time control mechanism switch and saidweekly interval control switch to rotate said rotatable contact memberst contact said stationary members.

5. The combination with time control mechanism switches, of impulsesending switches for operation of a plurality of groups of signals andcircuits comprising a plurality of pairs of spring contact fingers,electric circuits connected to said fingers, a pair of shafts, electricmotors gear related to said shafts, adjustable sectors mounted on saidshafts, adjustable switch blades mounted on said sectors, and means torespectively intermittently operate said shafts at dfferent speeds fromeach other to cause said switch blades on one respective shaft tocontact with certain of said fingers at differing intervals from thoseon the other shaft.

6. A timing device comprising a plurality of pairs of spring contactfingers, electric circuits connected to said fingers, a shaft, sectorsadjustably mounted on said shaft, switch blades carried by said sectorsand circumferentially spaced thereon, adapted to be rotated therewithand contact pairs of said fingers to connect said circuits; and means tointermittently rotate said shaft through a predetermined, angulardistance at each rotation.

7. A timing device comprising a frame, contact fingers thereon, electriccircuits connected to said fingers, a shaft rotatably mounted in saidframe, switch blades and sectors on said shaft adapted to contact saidfingers, a drive gear on said shaft, a motor to drive said gear, switchmeans to connect an energizing circuit to ,said motor, tip fingers onsaid shaft, switch fingers adapted to be contacted by said trip fingersto open said switch means, when said blades are out of contact with saidfingers, a solenoid and means operated by said solenoid adapted to movesaid switch fingers laterally out of the path of the said trip fingersto permit the closing of said switch means.

8. A timing device comprising a frame, contact fingers thereon, electriccircuits connected to said fingers, a shaft rotatably mounted in, saidframe, sectors on said shaft, switch blades supported by said sectorsadapted to contact said fingers when rotated, a drive gear on saidshaft, a motor to drive said gear, switch means to connect an energizingcircuit to said motor, a solenoid and means operated by said solenoid tomove said switch means to closed position, and trip fingers secured tosaid shaft adapted when rotated to open said switch means when saidswitch blades and sectors have made a one-half revolution with saidshaft, and when said blades are out of contact with said fingers.

ALEXANDER J. MASSEY.

